American Work Experience (AWE)

If you seek a solution to your seasonal staffing needs, American Work Experience (AWE) may be just the answer you are looking for. As an authorized sponsor of the J-1 cultural exchange visa, AWE provides employers with qualified enthusiastic seasonal staff from around the world. This legal staffing solution will provide you with international staff for four months out of the year, depending on the country of origin. Whether you need summer staff or winter staff, we offer an exciting alternative that will not only fill your staffing needs, but also add an international cultural dynamic to your establishment.

We provide staff from a variety of backgrounds with a wide array of experience in areas such as kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, and office, among others. AWE applicants will be between the ages of 18 to 28 and will be full-time university students in their home country. All applicants are fully screened through a detailed application process and are evaluated on their language ability, if English is not their native language.

American Work Experience is dedicated to providing a quality cultural exchange experience for all who take part in our program. We strive to ensure both participants and employers have a successful and enjoyable experience by providing excellent individualized service and ensuring each applicant is placed with a job or position that is appropriate to his or her skills and experiences.

Why Use AWE?

AWE is committed to providing excellent service to all of our clients. We do our best to provide a quality experience for everyone through individualized service and excellent benefits. As a designated sponsor of a J-1 cultural exchange program, AWE has been thoroughly screened by the United States State Department and must report annually on our activities and programs. For this reason and because we believe in the value of cultural exchange and enabling the most positive experience for all, we take the time to screen each participant and employer for suitability to the program and their motivations for participation.

AWE Programs

AWE offers a choice in how you go about the recruitment process. For those who want the option to recruit their own staff and want help in the facilitation of the visa process, we offer the Independent Option-Self-Arranged Job option. For those who would like support in finding quality staff and the ease of using our matching service, we offer our Placement Option.

Through the Independent Option- Self-Arranged Job Option, you have the flexibility of recruiting your international staff through your own efforts. Once you have hired an applicant, you simply have them contact AWE Europe and they will finalize the hiring process. AWE provides the applicant with a formalized Placement Offer on your behalf and will provide all necessary documentation for the J-1 visa.

Through the Placement Option, you have access to AWE’s individualized matching service and hundreds of pre-screened applicants. You simply tell us your staffing needs and we will make every effort to match your request with the skills and experiences of our applicants. Once you have selected your staff, AWE will provide a formalized Placement Offer on your behalf and begin to facilitate the J-1 process.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Regardless of the option selected, all employers will be asked to complete an AWE Employment Agreement on-line. Each applicant to AWE is asked to complete the Self-Arranged applicant Employment form where he/she provides employer's details. It is important for students to provide employer's email address. Once they complete this form, an employer will be sent a notification email about this student's interest to be hired by an employer. Employers will then be asked to visit this webpage and complete the above AWE Employment Agreement form on-line. Before the form is completed, please, read the instructions sheet carefully. Once this form is completed, a pdf file will be created. The form needs to be printed, signed and sent to AWE U.S. office either by fax at : 203-869-6491 or send to American Work Experience, 335 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT, 06830. This agreement is used to solidify the placement details for your staff and allows us to provide them with the information they need to process their visa and arrive at your doorstep on time.

What AWE Provides

Regardless of which option you choose, all employers will have access to a number of services and benefits:

Professional and comprehensive support from a team of experienced staff.
Detailed applications including three written references, a medical form and police background check for each participant.
An Interview Report for each participant.
International recruitment events for qualifying employers
J-1 visa documentation
Comprehensive medical insurance for your staff for the duration of their stay in the U.S.
A comprehensive Participant Handbook
Local orientation for each participant before departure to the U.S.
24-hour emergency assistance
Youth hostel accommodation for participants upon arrival into New York City.

In addition, for those who elect to participate in the Placement Option, you will also have access to hundreds of pre-screened qualified applicants and exclusive review of the applications we send.

All AWE applicants, regardless of whether they participate through the Independent Option or the Placement Option, must meet with the AWE representative in their country of origin to confirm suitability for the program and student status. This will ensure the smooth processing of their paperwork and the visa process.

AWE Fees

Regardless of which option you choose, AWE does not charge any placement fees. We simply ask that employers pay AWE participants an hourly wage comparable to American staff and that you either provide housing or assistance in locating housing.

How to participate

If you would like to join the AWE program, please complete the following details and return the form to American Work Experience, 335 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT, 06830 or fax it back to 203-869-6491. As soon as we receive your form we will contact you to discuss your staffing needs and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you! To complete the form, please, click here.